Illuminated marker

ABSTRACT

A vertical tier of lights are supported by brackets on a pair of elongated connector rods. Intermediate walls are located vertically between the lights and are supported by the connector rods. The lower ends of the connector rods are attached to a base plate which serves as a base support for a transparent plastic tubular body. The intermediate walls are snugly received within the body. The connector rods project upwardly through openings in a cover plate which rests on the upper end of the body. Wing nuts or the like are threaded onto the connector rods and used for securing the assembly together. The lights carry separate indicia and are separately controlled by a multi-position switch.

[ Apr. 17, 1973 United States Patent 1 Culbertson ILLUMINATED MARKERPrimary ExaminerThomas B. Habecker Assistant Examiner-Glen R. Swann, IllAttorneyJ0hn O. Graybeal et al.

0 RM ,2 18 8 W me t we r. C mn m C 3 1J2 m r FB E O t n 6 V n I M 7 [22]Filed: June 21, 1971 PP N04 155,021 A vertical tier of lights aresupported by brackets on a pair of elongated connector rods.Intermediate walls are located vertically between the lights and are supported by the connector rods. The lower ends of the connector rods areattached to a base plate which serves as a base support for atransparent plastic tubunm 13 07 4 3 0 3 m A3 e n 0 4 0 3 4 n m ..m n cr u a u e H S I ll C s UhF H M 555 lar body. The intermediate walls aresnugly received [56] References Cited within the body. The connectorrods project upwardly through openings in a cover plate which rests onthe UNITED STATES PATENTS upper end of the body. Wing nuts or the likeare threaded onto the connector rods and used for secur- 340/378 ing theassembly together. The lights carry separate in-DaVlS.............................i......340/323 dicia and are eparatelycontrolled by a multi-position switch.

2,549,627 4/1951 Musch et al 2,932,004 4/1960 Zurcher....... 3,444,5485/1969 10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures t 1 m @Hm he.

I? in:

ILLUMINATED MARKER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThis invention relates to illuminated information display devices, andin particular to such devices as sidelines down markers for footballgames and team foul indicators for basketball games.

2. Description of the Prior Art In a football game the offensive team isgiven four downs in which to either advance the ball at least ten yardsor relinquish control of the ball to the opposite team. Conventionalapparatus for indicating from the sidelines the next down to be playedincludes a staff with four sheet metal leaves attached to its upper end.The leaves are marked l 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The leaf carryingnumber 4 is normally attached to the top of the staff, and the otherthree leaves are pivotally attached along their upper edges to the fixedleaf, so that they can be pivotally moved from positions forwardly ofthe fixed leaf to positions rearwardly thereof, for changing the downindication.

A disadvantage of this type of down marker is that it is quite oftendifficult for spectators to locate it at the sidelines, particularlyduring night games. It has been proposed to make down markers to includelights and to use a different distinctive color for each down. However,the proposed markers of which I am aware are generally quite complex intheir makeup and comprise a large number of specially constructed partsrequiring a considerable amount of special manufacture, making themarkers quite expensive to manufacture. An example of a previouslyproposed illuminated sidelines down marker is shown by US. Pat. No.2,549,627, granted Apr. 17, 1951 to William F. Musch and Russell S.Katz.

Accordingly, there is a need for an illuminated down marker which isrelatively simple in construction and can be economically manufactured,and at the same time is capable of exhibiting a relatively largeilluminated signal for each down. The main object of this invention isto provide an illuminated down marker which fulfills these requirements.It is also an object to provide a marker or indicator for basketballteam fouls which possesses the same advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In preferred form, the marker or indicator ofthis invention is characterized by a head assembly comprising four pairsof numbered lights situated on top of a pole or staff which carriesbatteries for powering the lights and control circuitry. A base plate isconnected to the upper end of the pole. A pair of connector rods arefirmly secured at their lower ends to this plate and extend upwardlytherefrom. The connector rods support four vertically spaced apart lightassemblies, each light assembly comprising a pair of oppositely directedwide face light bulbs and a supporting bracket structure which isconnected to the connector rods. The connector rods also support dividerwalls situated between the light assemblies, for dividing theilluminated head structure into separate compartments, one for eachlight assembly. A tubular (e.g. cylindrical) body member of clearplastic is slidable endwise down over the tier of light assemblies. Thedivider walls are sized to be snugly received within such member. Thebase plate is wider than the tubular body so that such body can rest onand be supported by such plate. The assembly includes a top cover whichis also wider than the body. The connector rods project through openingsin the cover. Wing nuts or the like are screwed onto the connector rodsfor clamping the various parts of the assembly together.

A suitable number of batteries are housed in a portion of the pole. Afive position switch is mounted on the pole and is used for individuallycontrolling the light assemblies. A down number is associated with eachlight of each assembly, and preferably the lights for each down have adistinctive color, so that a color as well as the number is associatedwith each down.

Additional features of the invention will be apparent from the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing like letters andnumerals refer to like parts, and:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention, with a midportion of the pole or staff cut away to indicateindeterminate length, such view looking towards a tier of numberedlights on one side of the downs marker;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentedlongitudinal sectional view taken through theupper portion of the downs marker substantially along line 2-2 of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary isometric view of the upper light region of thedowns marker, with a side wall portion of the head cut away and certainparts spaced outwardly from their assembly positions, for clarity ofillustration; and

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring more specifically tothe several figures of the drawing, and particularly first to FIG. 1,the down marker is shown to comprise a pole or standard 10 and anilluminated head assembly 12 supported at the upper end of standard 10.In preferred form a lower support plate 14 is rigidly secured to theupper end of the standard 10. A pair of connector rods 16 are secured attheir lower ends to the plate 14 and extend upwardly therefrom throughthe head assembly 12. Head assembly 12 also includes a tubular bodymember 18 which rests on and is supported at its lower end by the plate14. A second plate 20 forms a cover or upper end wall for the headassembly 12. Plate 20 rests on the upper end of head member 18. Theconnector rods 16 include threaded upper end portions 22 which extendthrough openings 24 provided in cover 20. A seat nut 26 (FIG. 3) may beprovided on each threaded portion 22 below the cover 20. Wing nuts 28 orthe like are threaded onto the end portions 24 of the rods 16 aboveplate 20, for releasably holding the head assembly 12 together and inrigid securement to the pole or standard 10.

As best shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, the head assembly 12 is interiorlydivided into four separate compartments 36, 38, 40, 42 (FIG. 2) by aplurality of vertically spaced apart intermediate walls 30, 32, 34. Theconnector rods 16 are threaded in the region of each wall 30, 32, 34 toreceive upper and lower support nuts 44, 46, respectively. As best shownby FIG. 2, the end plates 14, 20 are slightly larger in transversedimension than the tubular member 18, whereas the compartment formingwall members 30, 32, 34 are sized and shaped to snugly fit within theinside dimension of member 18.

According to the invention the connector rods 16 are used to support alight assembly in each of the compartments 36, 38, 40, 42. Each lightassembly comprises a support bracket 48 and a pair of wide face lights50. As best shown by FIG. 3, each bracket 48 includes a pair of mountingblocks 52, apertured to receive the con nector rod 16. Blocks 52 aremade from an insulative material. The rods 16 are threaded in theregions of the blocks 52. Upper and lower clamping nuts 54, 56 threadedon each connector rod 16 immediately above and immediately below eachblock 52.

The brackets 48 include structure for supporting the lights 50 inback-to-back positions within the compartments 36, 38, 40, 42 in themanner illustrated, with the front faces of such lights 50 beingvertically oriented when the pole is vertically oriented.

Starting at the lower end of head assembly 12, the two lights 50 in thefirst compartment are provided with the number 1 on the faces thereof.The lights 50 in the next compartment 38 are provided with the number 2.The two lights 50 in the third compartment 40 are provided with thenumeral 3. The lights 50 in the fourth or top compartment 42 areprovided with the numeral 4. In addition, each pair of lights may bemade to illuminate as a different color from the rest. The example, thetwo lights 50 showing number 1" may be white lights. The two lights 50showing the number 2 may be green lights. The two lights 50 showing thenumber 3" may be amber or yellow lights. The two lights 50 showing thenumber 4 may be red lights. Also, the two lights 50 showing the number 4may include an element in their circuitry causing them to blink, as willhereinafter be explained in greater detail.

Preferably the plates 14, 20 and the interior walls 30, 32, 34 are madefrom an impervious sheet material. Tubular wall 18 may be a cylindricalsleeve of a transparent structural plastic material. The tubular member18 meed only be transparent in the regions thereof directly outwardlyfrom each light 50. The other regions of member 18 may be made semi orcompletely light impervious. The different colors may be provided byusing a different translucent material for forming the numerals l, 2, 3and 4 on the faces of the lights 50. Alternatively, the faces of thelights 50 may be colored in the regions thereof bordering the numerals.Or, the colors and numerals may be provided on member 18 immediatelyoutwardly of the lights 50.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the standard or pole 10 is shown to include abattery receiving compartment at its lower end, closed by a lower endcap 58. The pole l0, cap 58, plate 14, and portions of the brackets 48may be made of metallic materials to form the ground" path of anelectrical control circuit. Such a circuit is schematically illustratedby FIG. 4. A plurality of short batteries B (or a single long battery)are located within the battery compartment (FIG. 1). The batterycompartment cap 58 is assembled over the lower end of pole 10. Cap 58 isin contact with the lower end of the lower battery and with the sidewall of tube 10. The negative terminal of each light 50 is connected tothe metallic bracket member 48 which supports the light 50. Thesebracket members 48 are connected by wires 79 to the plate 14 or to pole10. The upper end of the upper battery B contacts the lower end of a rod60. The upper end of rod 60 is connected to one end of a multipositionswitch S. As schematically shown by FIG. 4, the switch S has a normallyopen position 62, a first circuit making position 64, a second circuitmaking postion 66, a third circuit making position 68, and a fourthcircuit making position 70. When switch S is in position 62 the movablecontact arm of the switch is insulated from the grounded pole 10. Whenthe contact arm is in position 64 it is in contact with a conductivemember which through wiring 72 is connected to the positive" terminalsof the lower lights 50 which show the number 1." When the contact arm ofswitch S is in position 66 it is electrically connected via wiring 74with the positive terminal of the two lights 50 which show numeral 2.When the switch contact arm is in position 68 its contact arm is incircuit making contact with wiring 76 connected to the positive terminalof the lights 50 which show number 3. When the switch contact arm is inits fourth position it is in circuit making contact with wiring 78 (FIG.3) which is connected to the positive terminal of the upper pair oflights 50 which illuminate number 4. As schematically illustrated inFIG. 4, a blinker device BD may be associated with each fourth downlight 50 as an additional reminder that a fourth down situation exists.

As a modified embodiment, the illuminated marker of the presentinvention might be provided with a fifth compartment housing a fifthpair of numbered lights, adapted to light the number 5. In suchembodiment each tier of five lights could be operated by a separatemulti-position switch so that the device could be used by sidelineofficials at a basketball game for indicating the number of team foulscommitted by each team in a period. The marker could be pole mounted, asin the preferred embodiment, but provided with a large base at the lowerend of the pole for supporting the complete assembly on the floor. Or,the head assembly alone could be provided with the base for mounting iton a table. Such a team foul marker could include a longitudinal wallbetween the two lights of each pair of lights. The pairs of lights couldbe supported so that their faces are separated by an acute angle orpoint in substantially the same direction. Also, one tier of lights maybe labeled by an H, designating the home team, and the other may beidentified by a V, designating the visiting team.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are therefore to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. An illuminated indicator comprising a base, at least one connectorrod secured at its lower end to the base and projecting upwardlytherefrom, a plurality of transverse walls connected to connector rodand spaced therealong from each other and from said base to form aplurality of compartments, a bracket in each compartment secured to theconnector rod, and at least one light connected to each bracket, atubular body sized to slip over and snugly receive all of saidtransverse walls, and to sit on and be supported by said base, a coversized to extend across the upper end of said body, said cover includingan opening therein for receiving the upper end portion of said connectorrod, fastener means connectible to the upper end of the connector rodabove said cover, and an electrical energy source for said lights,including means for selectively controlling said lights, and saidtubular body being light emitting in-at least those portions thereofspaced forwardly of said lights.

2. An illuminated indicator according to claim 1, wherein said connectorrod is threaded and each light bracket and each transverse wall includesan opening through which the connector rod passes, and each bracket andeach wall is secured to the connector rod by upper and lower nuts on theconnector rod which are screwed into clamping contact with each bracketand wall.

3. An illuminated indicator according to claim 1, wherein the portion ofthe connector rod projecting upwardly above the cover is threaded and anut is screwed onto such portion and down against such cover, and servesto clamp the tubular body between said base and said cover.

4. An illuminated indicator according to claim 1, wherein said base issecured to the upper end of an elongated pole, and said electricalenergy source includes battery means inside said pole.

5. An illuminated indicator according to claim 1, comprising a pair oflaterally spaced apart connector rods of the character described,wherein each bracket and each end wall includes openings therein forreceiving the connector rods, and such walls and brackets are secured tothe connector rods by clamp means around said openings situatedpartially below and partially above the brackets and the walls.

6. An illuminated indicator according to claim 5, wherein each bracketsupports two oppositely directed wide faced lights.

7. An illuminated indicator according to claim 6, wherein each pair oflights in each vertical compartment is provided with a distinguishingitem of indicia.

8. An illuminated indicator according to claim 7, wherein each item ofindicia is a numeral.

9. An illuminated indicator according to claim 7, wherein each item ofindicia is a color.

10. An illuminated indicator according to claim 1, comprising fourseparate compartments and at least one light in each compartment, eachlight having a wide face and having a numeral associated therewith, withsaid numbers ranging from one through four, and with the lightassociated with the numeral four being a blinking light.

1. An illuminated indicator comprising a base, at least one connectorrod secured at its lower end to the base and projecting upwardlytherefrom, a plurality of transverse walls connected to connector rodand spaced therealong from each other and from said base to form aplurality of compartments, a bracket in each compartment secured to theconnector rod, and at least one light connected to each bracket, atubular body sized to slip over and snugly receive all of saidtransverse walls, and to sit on and be supported by said base, a coversized to extend across the upper end of said body, said cover includingan opening therein for receiving the upper end portion of said connectorrod, fastener means connectible to the upper end of the connector rodabove said cover, and an electrical energy source for said lights,including means for selectively controlling said lights, and saidtubular body being light emitting in at least those portions thereofspaced forwardly of said lights.
 2. An illuminated indicator accordingto claim 1, wherein said connector rod is threaded and each lightbracket and each transverse wall includes an opening through which theconnector rod passes, and each bracket and each wall is secured to theconnector rod by upper and lower nuts on the connector rod which arescrewed into clamping contact with each bracket and wall.
 3. Anilluminated indicator according to claim 1, wherein the portion of tHeconnector rod projecting upwardly above the cover is threaded and a nutis screwed onto such portion and down against such cover, and serves toclamp the tubular body between said base and said cover.
 4. Anilluminated indicator according to claim 1, wherein said base is securedto the upper end of an elongated pole, and said electrical energy sourceincludes battery means inside said pole.
 5. An illuminated indicatoraccording to claim 1, comprising a pair of laterally spaced apartconnector rods of the character described, wherein each bracket and eachend wall includes openings therein for receiving the connector rods, andsuch walls and brackets are secured to the connector rods by clamp meansaround said openings situated partially below and partially above thebrackets and the walls.
 6. An illuminated indicator according to claim5, wherein each bracket supports two oppositely directed wide facedlights.
 7. An illuminated indicator according to claim 6, wherein eachpair of lights in each vertical compartment is provided with adistinguishing item of indicia.
 8. An illuminated indicator according toclaim 7, wherein each item of indicia is a numeral.
 9. An illuminatedindicator according to claim 7, wherein each item of indicia is a color.10. An illuminated indicator according to claim 1, comprising fourseparate compartments and at least one light in each compartment, eachlight having a wide face and having a numeral associated therewith, withsaid numbers ranging from one through four, and with the lightassociated with the numeral four being a blinking light.